The win for Southern (1-0) is the 13th straight season opener the Lions have been victorious in.

The Lions led 5-2 early after a three from DaRell Crittendon and a layup from Chris Scruggs. Newman (0-1) would take the lead at the 15:20 mark after a three from Sammie Fisher made the score 6-5. The Jets led again (12-11) with just under 12 minutes left, but a layup from Matt Monroe gave the Lions a 13-12 lead and started a 19-0 run that was capped off by a bucket from Skyler Bowlin and made the Southern lead 30-14 with 6:36 left in the first half.

Newman got to within seven (38-31) with 1:29 left, but the Lions scored the final six points of the half to go into the locker room up 44-31.

The Jets scored the first points of the second half on a jumper from Tayler Alvey, but Southern answered with six straight points to push its advantage to 17 (50-33). Newman got as close as ten twice, the last time on a layup from Damarcus Foster at the nine minute mark, but the Lions again went on a 10-0 run to push the lead to 20 (75-55) with seven minutes left. The lead for Southern grew to as high as 23 (87-64) with 3:17 left and neither team would score in that final stretch of the game.

Southern was led in scoring by Ateba's 24-point, 11-rebound double-double. The 24 points ties a career high for Ateba. Monroe had 16 points and nine boards, setting a new career high in points. Bowlin had 13 points, while Tony Webb had 12 and pulled down six rebounds.

The Lions forced 29 Newman turnovers and had 12 steals on the night. Southern shot 49 percent from the field and limited the Jets to just 32 percent.

Southern will now face off with Central Bible College on Tuesday, November 18 at 7 pm in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.